Carroll County, GA Animal Ordinances: Chickens & Livestock (2026)
Key Facts
- Ag district
- Commercial poultry/livestock permitted by right
- Ag setback
- Animal housing 200 ft from any property line
- Processing setback
- 750 ft for commercial animal-product processing
- Noncommercial farming
- Allowed as accessory use to a residence
- MFR district
- Poultry/livestock accessory use needs conditional permit
- MFR condition
- Accessory buildings must sit in side/rear yard
- Applies
- Unincorporated Carroll County only
Summary
Unincorporated Carroll County, Georgia allows commercial poultry, dairying and livestock raising in the Agricultural (A) district if animal housing sits at least 200 feet from any property line, per County Code § 102-8(8.1)(1)(b), while the Multi-Family Residential (MFR) district permits noncommercial poultry and livestock only as a conditional accessory use kept in the side or rear yard.
b.Commercial forest, agriculture, dairying, poultry and livestock raising provided that buildings used for housing fowls or animals or processing products not be located closer than 200 feet to any property line. ... a.Non-commercial poultry, horse, an livestock raising and greenhouses as an accessory use to a one-family dwelling for the principal benefit of the occupants thereof, provided that all related accessory buildings are located in the side or rear yards;
Full Breakdown
Chapter 14 (Animals) of the county code does not separately regulate poultry, fowl or livestock; that content lives in the zoning chapter instead. 1)(1)(b) permits commercial forest, agriculture, dairying, poultry and livestock raising, provided buildings used for housing fowls or animals, or for processing their products, are not located closer than 200 feet to any property line. 1)(1)(c) separately allows noncommercial agriculture, poultry, dairying, horse and livestock raising, with no stated setback, as an accessory use to a permitted residential dwelling for the benefit of its occupants.
1)(2)(l). 5)(2)(a) instead lists noncommercial poultry, horse and livestock raising and greenhouses as a conditional use requiring an application to the governing authority, with any related accessory buildings confined to the side or rear yard. Because Chapter 102 zones unincorporated territory only, these poultry and livestock provisions do not reach property inside Carrollton, Villa Rica, Temple, Bowdon, Whitesburg, Mount Zion, or Roopville.
Violations & Fines
Housing fowl or livestock closer than the required 200-foot setback in the Agricultural district, or keeping poultry or livestock in the MFR district without an approved conditional use permit, is a zoning violation punishable as a misdemeanor under Section 102-11, with each day of continued violation treated as a separate offense and injunctive relief available to the county.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I raise chickens on my property in unincorporated Carroll County?
How far must a chicken coop be from my property line in the Ag district?
Do I need a permit to keep chickens as an accessory use in the MFR district?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Carroll County
How Carroll County compares: Best Cities for Backyard Chickens·Compare Carroll County to another location·View the Georgia animal ordinances overview
See something wrong?
Help us keep this page accurate. If you notice an error or outdated information, let us know.